Amputee Estienne Arndt to tackle Kalahari Augrabies Marathon

Estienne Arndt, the famous 1980’s athlete who ran the Comrades Marathon with a prosthesis, is looking to make history again by competing in the gruelling Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon all in the name of charity.

ALSO READ: Resilient KZN mom CRAWLS to finish line at Comrades Marathon

ESTIENNE ARNDT TO TEST HIS STRENGHT ONCE AGAIN

In 1987, Estienne Arndt became the most-talked about Comrades runner after he ran the Ultimate Human Race in slip slops. The following year, Arndt gained more traction when he tested his strength again running the Comrades in a cotton kilt, which was the beginning of his fundraising drive for Little Eden, a centre for children and adults with profound intellectual disabilities.

Unfortunately, the same year (1988), Arndt was involved in a motorcycle accident which left him crippled.

“In the same year, I lost my foot in a motorcycle accident and several years later in 1996, finished Comrades, being the first amputee to finish with a prosthesis.”

Arndt

ALSO READ: 21 runners dead as extreme weather hits China ultra-marathon

WHY THE KALAHARI AUGRABIES IS NOT FOR THE FAINT-HEARTED

Now at the age of 69, after 20 years of organising the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon, a 7-day self-sufficient staged foot race in the Kalahari Desert, Arndt has committed to the challenge.

This iconic self-sufficient 250 km desert foot race, also well-known as the ‘Big Daddy’ of extreme marathons around the world, will take place from 6 to 14 October 2022.
“After 10 years of not really having done much in the way of extreme, at the tender age of 69 this will be my final chance to do something to support the team at Little Eden to take care of their children and adults with profound intellectual disabilities. In my eyes, they are all angels,” he said.

ARNDT APPEALS FOR MORE SUPPORT FOR HIS CHARITY OF CHOICE

Although Arndt attempts his last charity race, he still wishes for fellow citizens to continue supporting Little Eden.

“No matter how big or small, please assist me by donating to my BackABuddy Little Eden Fundraiser to enable the wonderful team to be able to take care of their children and adults with profound intellectual disabilities,” he appealed.